By Mark Vester
It was reported in the Virginian-Pilot , the former multi-division champion, and Olympic gold medalist, Pernell Whitaker, has been chosen as one of the fighters to enter the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007. Whitaker was at one time considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing.
Whitaker was a 'hit and don't get hit' kind of fighter, which is why he is regarded by many boxing historians as one the best defensive fighters in the history of the sport.
During his great career, he won numerous titles in various weight divisions and fought some of the best fighters in the sport, including Oscar De La Hoya, Julio Cesar Chavez, Felix Trinidad and many others. He began his career in 1984, and retired in 2001. During his run, he compiled a record of 40-4-1, 17KOs.
Whitaker, now 42-years of age, will be inducted in June in a ceremony in Canastota, New York.
“I don’t think I’ve ever looked forward to anything more than this,” Whitaker told the paper. “When they called me and told me, I got weak. Things come and go, but the Hall of Fame will be here for eternity.”